Coronation Street's Maureen Lipman reveals she's not keen on 'softening' Evelyn

Maureen Lipman
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Coronation Street legend spoke to Lorraine about her character...

Coronation Street star Maureen Lipman has opened up about Evelyn's latest storyline.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the actress spoke to Lorraine Kelly about the future of her character.

Maureen Lipman

Maureen joined Lorraine on Good Morning Britain today (Picture: ITV)

Maureen has played Evelyn Plummer since 2018, after previously appearing in 2002 where she played the guest role of Lillian Spencer.

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But she revealed that she likes the "old" Evelyn, after revealing the writers want to soften her character.

Maureen told Lorraine, "Well I think they have been trying to give Evelyn a whole new side for a while but I like the old her.

"I am not keen on the idea of softening her. I think it is a good balance to have someone who can speak her mind."

She added, "When you watch the old episodes they talk at the speed of the typewriter, so bring a bit of that back.

"She is formidable and I think she should stay formidable."

Maureen Lipman

Maureen told Lorraine that she will be heading back to filming in September (Picture: ITV)

In addition, Maureen Lipman offered some insights into life on the Coronation Street set post-lockdown.

The soap resumed filming in June, but older cast members aren't expected to return until Autumn.

Maureen revealed, "We are in separate groups, we don't have a green room, we don't have canteen but it has got to be done hasn't it."

She also added that she was "lucky" to be able to return to work following the coronavirus outbreak.

Maureen added, "There is an element now of people, particularly in my business… You used to be able to waitress when you weren’t working but now there’s nowhere to waitress."

"So it is tough. I’m very aware that I’m incredibly lucky to have Coronation Street to look forward to September when the wrinklies get unrolled."

Maureen Lipman

Maureen has been appearing in Celebrity Gogglebox (Picture: ITV)

Maureen also talked about her stint on Celebrity Gogglebox, which she is currently appearing in alongside Giles Brandreth.

Talking of watching the EastEnders Den and Angie Watts two hander episode that was shown on BBC One last night, Maureen said: "God, they were good those two."

Coronation Street will temporarily air a reduced schedule of three episodes a week. Watch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV. 

Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.


She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress